US conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has claimed that the Trump administration could be days away from launching a nuclear strike against Iran, alleging that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing President Donald Trump to authorise an attack on a suspected underground nuclear facility.
In a lengthy post on X late Sunday, Carlson identified the alleged target as Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified site in central Iran where, he claimed, Israeli intelligence believes Tehran has resumed uranium enrichment activities.
Carlson alleged that the facility’s underground tunnels are protected by approximately 300 feet of solid granite, making them inaccessible to conventional American weapons. He suggested that a nuclear strike would therefore be the only military option capable of destroying the suspected installation.
“Bibi (Netanyahu) calls Trump about it every day,” Carlson quoted an unnamed observer as saying.
The commentator further alleged that Netanyahu’s efforts to secure American military intervention were linked to his domestic political difficulties.
According to Carlson, the Israeli prime minister needs Trump’s support to maintain a 61-seat majority in the Knesset following recent election results. He claimed that losing power could expose Netanyahu to investigations and possible imprisonment.
Carlson also alleged that Netanyahu had been lobbying senior American military and intelligence officials, including Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, to resume major combat operations against Iran.
He further claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe were following Netanyahu’s position on the issue.
Carlson also asserted that former President Barack Obama had opposed a proposed Iran peace agreement being drafted in Doha.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Carlson did not present publicly verifiable evidence establishing that Washington has authorised, planned or scheduled a nuclear strike.
There has been no confirmation from the White House, Pentagon or Israeli government of the alleged plans.
Carlson, a former Fox News host who now runs an independent political programme, has frequently criticised American military involvement in foreign conflicts.
His latest allegations raise serious questions about the possibility of further military escalation in the Middle East, although the reported plans remain unsubstantiated.